Monday, December 20, 2010

Seeking Love in a World of Lust

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God (Matt 5:8).


A poem, submitted to blogger Tim Challies, by the wife of a man consumed with pornography broke my heart. You can read it here (Caution, a couple verses are understandably PG-13, so please read with discretion).

I am astonished and grieved at the Satanic inroads made by internet pornography into the lives of men - even in the Church! It may be - as once noted by theologian Carl Trueman - the greatest issue facing the Church today. When the men of Christ, who are called to lead the flock, are mesmerized by idols of lust, how can the Church be anything but weak and defiled? It is not a small nor insignificant issue.

Fortunately, there are many helpful resources in fighting this sin, such as those listed here, not to mention the sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:3), the sufficiency of Christ's Holy Word (John 17:17), and the all-sufficient work of Christ's Spirit in His people (Gal 5:16).

If lust and pornography go unchecked, your sight for our glorious Lord - as well as for those whom you love most - will be blinded and at that your only hope in this life will slowly dissipate, "to see His righteousness" (Micah 7:9).


PLEASE NOTE: If you are a man struggling with lust and pornography, especially a member of my church - there is a standing-offer for you to meet with me, confess your sin, and seek the forgiveness and cleansing found in Christ alone. By His grace, you will be greeted with the love of a pastor and a partner in killing this deceitful wickedness. Do not wait for the shame and reproof of having your sin discovered (cf. 1 Tim 5:24-25)... nothing can be hidden forever.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Raking the Leaves

Okay, so this is amounts to little more than a shameless picture of my favorite little heathen and I raking the leaves... he is daddy's boy, after all.

On the other hand, at the time the photograph was taken, I was listening to Sinclair Ferguson give the 2010 den Dulk Lectures on Pastoral Ministry at Westminister Seminary (which are superb and available for download here).

And, I am trying to apply this wise pastoral counsel: What is the One Regret All Pastors Should Want to Avoid?

Thus, this picture qualifies for the theme of this blog after all!